After back-to-back defeats, the Dragons go looking to get their first Guinness PRO14 victory on the board when they roll out the red carpet for Connacht on Friday night (kick-off 7.30pm). Having been beaten by last year’s semi-finalists Leinster and then Edinburgh, the Welsh side come up against a Connacht outfit fresh from a 32-10 victory over the Southern Kings in Round Two. What’s at stake?: The Dragons already had a victory on the board at this stage last season, courtesy of an 11-6 triumph over Zebre, so new boss Bernard Jackman will be hoping that his team don’t begin their 2017-18 campaign with a third loss. Should they prevent the Dragons from getting themselves off the mark, Connacht will claim their first victory of the season away from the Galway Sportsground. Team news (Dragons): The home side will be boosted by the return of two key players – Wales international flanker Ollie Griffiths and South African scrum-half Sarel Pretorious. In a third and final change, Jack Dixon comes in to partner Tyler Morgan at centre. Team news (Connacht): Connacht head coach Kieran Keane, who like Jackman, is in his first season at the helm, has shuffled his pack, making no less than seven changes. Rory Scholes, Caolin Blade, Denis Coulson, Conor Carey, Quinn Roux and Jake Heenan are all handed their first starts of the season, with Eoghan Masterson also coming in. Talking points: The Dragons ran out 21-16 winners in the same fixture last season but both teams are now adapting to new coaching philosophies and will be out to give their supporters something to shout about. Like he did during his time in charge at Grenoble, former Connacht player Jackman will pit a side under his wing against his former employers. Key battle: Full-back is likely to be a crucial area when these two sides meet, with experienced ex-South Africa international Zane Kirchner, a key man in Leinster’s 2013-14 title triumph, lining up for the Dragons. Kirchner will face off against Tiernan O’Halloran, who earned his first Ireland cap in 2016 and is slowly but surely progressing into a key operator for Connacht. Key stat: Connacht have had the upper hand in recent encounters between the sides, winning eight of the last nine times the teams have faced off. Did you know? Six Connacht players will be making their Guinness PRO14 debuts when they take to the field at Rodney Parade. Dragons: Z Kirchner, A Hewitt, T Morgan, J Dixon, H Amos; G Henson, S Pretorius; B Harris, E Dee, L Brown, R Landman, C Hill, H Keddie, O Griffiths, J Benjamin. Replacements: G Ellis, T Davies, L Fairbrother, M Screech, R Blake, O Leonard, D Jones, J Rosser. Connacht: T O’Halloran; D Leader, T Farrell, B Aki, R Scholes; J Carty, C Blade; D Coulson, T McCartney, C Carey, Q Roux, J Cannon, E Masterson, J Heenan, J Muldoon. Replacements: D Heffernan, P McCabe, D Robertson-McCoy, G Thornbury, J Butler, K Marmion, S Crosbie, E Griffin. Match officials – Referee: Quinton Immelman (SARU). Assistant Referee 1: Craig Evans (WRU). AR2: Rhys Thomas (WRU). TMO: Rhys Thomas (WRU) Guinness PRO14 Final 2018 Ticket Information: Fans can save up to 20% on selected tickets, and prices start at just €30 for adults and €5 for children, and be booked via www.ticketmaster.ie
